I made the list!

HALPERIN'S TAKE:
The Five Most Important People in American Politics Not Running for President

1. Obama secret weapon Pete Rouse.

2. McCain strategist Mike DuHaime.

3. Obama national field director Jon Carson.

4. Obama battleground state chief Jennifer O'Malley.

5. Every member of Jon Carson's field team (tie). <---- I'm part of this team :)

A day of firsts

With 9 days left before the election, Obama followed suit and came for the last time (or so we think) before 4 Nov. to Colorado. Our office, which is located northeast of Denver, was given the opportunity to attend.

I had never been to a political rally, which is odd, I know, given that I love politics, but this was an unique experience. Since I am staff I didn't have to wait in line, which was awesome given this crowd:

I was feeling slightly guilty for being there. I was extremely tired, cold, and thinking that this wasn't going to help win the election in Colorado, especially in Brighton where my office is located, but I thought it would be a nice change of pace. Hey, we might even get some volunteers out of the deal.

When he began speaking I got really excited. I was about 100-200 feet away from him, and it finally dawned on me that we, as in everyone in that crowd and I, were making history. His speech, even though the same information with little twists we have been hearing via the media, lifted spirits and was received with tons of enthusiasm. I heard older women screaming like they would have at a Beatles concert in "their day," and bragging that this was the 9th time they had seen him speak and that they would follow him all over the country. I left the rally feeling great, energized and ready to hit the doors.

Then the unthinkable happened. I got back to the office and was the first one there. Good thing, too, because I am the key holder. I had been waiting around for my Field Organizer, Stephen, for about an hour, so that I could go out and knock on some doors, when I received a call from my regional director, Nick, looking for Stephen. He said that he really needed to get a hold of him immediately, and that he would call me right back. I was a bit nervous because I didn't know what was going on. Did we not meet our goal? Should we have been doing something more? No, in fact completely different, Barack Obama was on his way to our office and he would be there in 30 minutes.

At that point, I didn't really know what to think. I wasn't freaked out or worried, I just listened intently as Nick rattled of instructions of cleaning the office and getting on the phones to get as many people there as I could and said he was on his way.

Thank God Vicki and Sarah showed up when they did with a handful of other volunteers. I tried to print call lists from our database, but I couldn't find them, so luckily they had the volunteer lists to call from. We were actually able to get 60+ people here before he arrived.

We (Nick, Stephen and I) along with our core Brighton volunteers lined up in the foyer to our office as sort of a "greeting team" for BO. He walked in the door and started shaking hands and greeting people down the line. I was last and got skipped over. I really didn't mind because at this point I wanted to be anywhere, but in the office. I got a little shy and wanted to be as far away from him as possible. (Yes, I think this is silly too, he is after all, just a person. An incredibly intelligent person running for president of the US, but still just a person).

Needless to say, I did get to meet him. I'll post the rest of the story after the election. But here's a picture for the time being:

Party realignment?

I was told in college, and history has proven, that nearly every 30 years there is a major party realignment. Could this be it for the GOP?

My favorite part of campaigning

Today is our official dry-run of election day, and because I left the office at 2:15 and didn't fall asleep until 3:30, giving me 2 1/2 hours of sleep for the night, I decided to take the time to remember what I like about campaigning.

Campaigning, or community organizing, is the hardest thing I have ever done, but the one thing that keeps me going while I'm here (besides knowing that I get to come home on 6 Nov. ) is the "community" in community organizing. We have been blessed here in Brighton, CO with a core group of amazing people. I will do a short run-through:

Sarah: She's basically our mom (and has two little ones of her own). She cooks for us on an almost daily basis and she cleans our bathrooms at the office! (Clean bathrooms are a pretty big deal to me :) ) She's also completely type-A so we are kindred spirits and commiserate on how to better organize the office.

Vicki: She's the fearless volunteer team leader. Like Sarah, she has two little ones, one who was 6 weeks old when he began canvassing for Obama in the primaries. Since then he has taken his first steps in our campaign office, and we were all here to witness it. We lean on each other when we get rude people, and we know if one of us loses it the other will too. She also makes fun of me for not liking to wear shoes in the office, and even gave me a pair of cute slipper socks with frogs on them!

Gregg: He's an amazing canvasser and is the canvass captain for election day. He always gives us updates on what "the other side" is doing and brings in his "hate mail." He and his wife are very sweet people (it's like having younger grandparents again), they have even put up with me calling their house and knocking on their door without recognizing last names. :)

Linda: She is one of our best phone call makers. No matter how rude people are to her, she still keeps at it. I've only had to give her a pep talk once (which I mustered from God knows where) to get her spirits back up. She in turn gave me a hug. I needed it. :)


These are only a few of the people who have made an impact on me here. I'll write more and share more stories as time provides, but all I know at this point, is that without the support from my family and friends back home, and these people here I wouldn't be making it right now.

Seriously? Still?

This story puzzles me. Are we seriously still this far behind? How long until the sentiment is refused...

New news on the genocide in Sudan

This excites me. Let's hope that it is ended soon. If so, we'll be one step closer to the end of the LRA as well.

Economic Policy

This news post has to be on its own because I have a lot to say about it.

Senator John McCain, the Republican nominee, plans to unveil a new 'pension and
family security' plan while campaigning in the Pennsylvania on Tuesday. According to an outline of his proposal released by the McCain campaign, it is aimed at seniors, workers and homeowners – 'those who are currently hurting the most' due to the ongoing fiscal crisis.

I'm curious as to how "seniors, workers, and homeowners" are the groups of people who are "currently hurting the most". I'm appalled that there hasn't been much talk of anyone living at or below the poverty line. Do politicians honestly believe that this downward turn in the economy doesn't effect them adversly as well? Or do you have to have money to be effected?

They may not be politically active in the sense of engaging in politics as most Americans see fit, but they will engage in their own form of politics if things go completely against them. I'm not too sure I would like to see a recap of the Watts Riots of '65 or the LA Riots of '92... History repeats itself when we don't learn from it.... And hey, that was only California.

Worthy News Posts

Every morning I come into the office early to catch up on the news because I don't have time to do it during the day. This is what I found that alarmed me or made me smile in some odd fashion:

1. Woohoo for Oregon beers!
2. I would probably vote republican if Colin Powell ran for president.
3. I wonder what Michael Scott would do to get a date with Sarah Palin while she's in Scranton. (Man I miss the office!)
4. This excites me so much! The last group in Uganda to practice female circumcision finally banned it!

Life on the campaign trail...

Things I have realized while being in Colorado:

1. I don't have much free time. In fact, the only reason I have free time right now is because our reporting site is down for maintenance.
2. I don't need free time because I don't have any friends here.
3. I hate driving. The 18+ hour drive from Portland was bad enough not to mention the 20 miles I drive to the office each day.
4. I am so in love with reading the bible every morning. I've realized even more how I can't make it through the day without it.
5. I miss the West Wing, Pop Tarts, TCBY and red wine.
6. Although winter is my favorite season, I don't like cold weather.
7. I absolutely love coffee! I didn't drink it much this summer and I can't figure out why not.
8. I miss my family and friends, but I know now that I could move away from everyone and be alright. (not that I'm going to)
9. Campaigning is not the lifestyle for me, but I think if I didn't experience it I would always wonder.
10. Public bathrooms,no matter where you are, are disgusting!

More info to come soon...

Meat-less balls

Recently my roommate and I have fallen in love with meat-less balls. Yes, we have also enjoyed acting like seventh graders and making ridiculous jokes about balls in general. While this is way off topic of something meaningful, I decided I needed a good laugh-- especially given the past few weeks.

I read this article on the Portland Mercury's blog, and decided I need to get this cookbook. If not for myself, then definitely as a gag gift for my roommate.


Sample Version - The Testicle Cookbook